Is it ethical to date your divorce attorney?
I am currently going through a divorce and I suddenly started to have feelings for my attorney. We have been contacting each other lately not in a professional nature but more like friends. We went out one day and after that he emailed me that he had a lot going on and that he would call me when things settled down. Does this mean he had feelings for me too? Or did he notice I had feelings for him? Did he cut it off because he is my attorney? And if so should I contact him regarding his email or just ignore it since he is still representing me as my attorney? Any answers would help. Thanks!
Answers:
it IS unethical behavior, called "conflict of interest". his license would be in jeopardy, and any settlement you might get would be open to judgement afterwards. it's not worth the problems it WILL bring... it's normal, under the circumstances you are in, to feel that you "feel something' for the man who is giving you assistance at this time, it's called 'transference' and, as i said, it's common to lawyers, doctors, therapists, (do you see where this is going. none of these people can ethically be romantically involved with patients or even ex patients)
you aren't even finished with your divorce, you really aren't in any shape to start a new relationship, unless you are looking for a 'transitional, throwaway' one.
is he cute?..go for it..arnie on LA Law did it all the time
i think that if he is interested that he wants to wait until after the divorce is over. It wouldn't look good for you in court to be dating your attorney. Especially because its a divorce. Your soon to be ex could accuse you in court of being with another person(your attorney) and he could get more than what you want him to. Just steer clear of it right now and if its meant to happen it will
I would not consider such a relationship ethical. Maybe a year or so after your divorce is final it wouldn't be so bad.
just chill and go with the flow..
My former secretary pursued her divorce attorney. When they hooked up, he got her a huge settlement.
no it is not ethical. you do not want a relationship with someone representing you. later, after the case is over , you might be able to do so . i think he probably would not though because that's risky for him. if he is going to represent you in this / he can't have a intimate relationship with his clients. he could be in the hotseat for that . lol.
First of all to answer your question specifically -
yes it would be unethical for your divorce lawyer to date you as this would be mixing a professional / client relationship into a personal relationship... which is unethical.
I think you should ignore the email and concentrate on the case for now and once it has been closed if there is any interest from both of you then go for it!
In a word: no.
The American Bar Association would frown upon that. Attorneys take courses and trainings about ethics and dating your client is prohibited.
Keep in mind that you're going through a divorce...give it some time and don't make a bad decision here.
No it is not ethical to date your attorney while he is acting on your behalf legally. Leave the romance out until your case is finalized. He could get into a lot of trouble and lose his ability to practice law.
I think you already know it would be unethical, or you wouldn't have even asked. But, it might be a moot point because it sounds to me like the ol' brush-off.don't email or call me.I'll call you! He needs to protect his own reputation...lawyers should not date clients while they are engaged in a legal situation.
you may as well get some good -------out of the deal, cuz he's -------you in otherways.
a double dip never hurt anyone except in the pocketbook!
It is unethical and if he pursues the relationship while you are still his client, he could find himself up on morales charges and be disbarred.
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